Lakeport >> The Fargo Brothers haven’t just had a busy year — they’ve had a busy 37 years.
The musicians — songwriter and guitarist Michael Adams, Russ Whitehead on bass, Joost Vonk on drums, and guitarist Larry Platz — were originally going by a simpler name: Fargo. They put the precursor in because they’re not just a band, they’re family. “We love each other, we added the name ‘Bothers’ for that reason. It was decades ago,” Adams said. “We’re our worst critics and our greatest admirers of each other. I really am with a remarkable group of musicians and almost everyone agrees with that.”
The group, who perform Americana and rock with a bluesy edge, perform at Library Park tonight for the Summer Concert series. The last time they stepped up on the gazebo was about five years ago. They always jump at the chance to come back. The park shows are family-friendly, and the Fargo Brothers enjoy the opportunity to perform for a wide range of ages, while also roping in some new fans. “We have the type of show that will amaze and astound people that haven’t seen us before,” Adams said.
Of course, the show will also be a treat for long time fans of the band. Over the last year they recorded and produced a new album of all original material written by Adams. They’ll also be performing covers by artists like Tom Petty, John Hiatt and Delbert McClinton, musicians who have either been major inspirations or who have a similar sound.
Even though everyone in the band has multiple projects going on, and they don’t all live in the same place, they keep busy through their wide-spread net of contacts. They have strong relationships with a fair promoter and a harvest festival promoter, who regularly call them to fill slots. A few days ago, the band received calls from three different clubs wanting to book them.
The Fargo Brothers’ stage presence is also something that keeps them in high demand. They regularly pull out long, gray, Dumbledore-style beards for a ZZ Top medley. They’re always running around venues, jumping on tables and causing a riot. Sometimes, if the King is speaking to him, Adams dons an Elvis wig and sunglasses. “We really place entertainment at a big premium,” Adams said. “We aren’t afraid to wax comical at certain points but we also have a very serious pride in our music. There’s a balance there.”
The members of the band are each in their 60s, but you wouldn’t know it based on their performances. They may sometimes become physically tired, but creatively, the juices are still flowing. As a lyricist, Adams has thousands of song lyrics in his head. And the other members of the bands, as experienced musicians, have their own repertoires. It makes creating new music and performing new numbers a breeze.
“As far as us getting on tables, we can’t help ourselves. The ground can’t hold us,” Adams added. “We’re old chronologically but once that rhythm happens and we’re in the music all that goes out the window. It’s our fountain of youth.”
Although they’ve been together for nearly 40 years, they don’t plan to quit any time soon. Like wine, their music only gets better with age, especially since they’re not constantly rotating players in and out. They’ll play until the day they die, Adams said, unless music is inexplicably outlawed. “You can hear it,” said Adams. “You can hear a sound like that that’s been molded over time.”
The Fargo Brothers perform at Library Park, 225 Park St. Lakeport, tonight from 6:30-8 p.m. They’ll also be at Riviera Hills Restaurant and Lounge in Kelseyville Saturday night and at the Boathouse Bar and Grill in Nice on Sunday afternoon.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
